what pellet brand do you use?

[gypsy_rose]

I want to know what kind of pellet food to start weening Baby onto. (I got her the same stuff they were feeding her to ease her into everything and will slowly be easing her into the pellet diet). Also how long does the bag last you? (please tell me weight of the bag)

 

[MonicaMc]

Harrison's. I prefer to buy in bulk to save on money, and Harrison's is rather expensive... a #25 bag costs over $100, but it can last me for several months with my flock. That said, Harrison's recommends using their food within 3 months of opening the bag to preserve freshness.

I've used/tried Roudybush, Zupreem, Mazuri and TOP's in the past.

 

[Birdlover11]

I use Lafeber's for my budgies, it has preservatives so it could last longer. Usually it takes me 2 or 3 months to finish it because every week I either give them seed or pellets. It's 1.25lbs

 

[OtterKin]

I use Roudybush and Zupreem natural. I (and the birds) prefer Roudybush but I like to have them eating two pellets in case one brand goes under or something else happens. I mix with different seed mixes as well. A 10 lb bag of Roudybush, with seed mixed in, should last me 3 or so months with 5 birds, and alternating every day with Zupreem.

 

[Bobioden]

I use Roudybush Crumbles for my GCC.

 

[Adinafloyd]

I use harrisons and lafaeber nutri berries for my grey, and lotsa fruit and veggies

 

[Mudkips]

In Australia there's only really one brand of pellets, Vetafarm, so we're not spoiled for choice.

It seems to be more specialized for specific parrots then the American varieties.
For example I have a conure so I buy the South American Mix which was made for macaws, amazons and conures. They even go so far as to say it should be fed as a total diet - fruits and vegetables are optional. "Other supplements are not required." because they add stuff like "Vitamins – A, D, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Minerals – Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc, Sodium, Manganese, Calcium, Phosphorous, vegetable oils and Amino Acids".(doesn't stop me sharing my dinner with him)

I may have one brand to choose from, but if its good enough for the Sydney Zoo, its good enough for me.
__________________

I saw a video on Youtube of someone tasting 3 kinds of parrot pellets, so I decided to taste the ones I feed Birdy because I didn't want him living off something that tastes terrible. They're actually not bad at all!
Has anyone else tried doing this?

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Recently switched to Zupreem Natural. He loves it (cherry-headed conure) and eats a higher percentage of pellets as part of his diet now than I ever recall. Also, because it's one color, he doesn't get choose based on color and that way there is much less waste. I hate wasting anything. He doesn't like Harrison's, even though I wish he would.

 

[Akraya]

Mine eat Roudybush mini (they like to pick it up with their feet), tried vetafarm which is what Guapo was originally on but now neither of them touch it! they love their roudybush, couldn't tell you how long it lasts though, I don't really pay attention, "bags nearly empty better buy more"

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I feed Rosie totally organic pellets, Harrison's pellets is also a fantastic brand but it's very hard so Rosie doesn't like it. I've been adding a few power treats to her food everyday since I'd love to feed her half harrison's and half totally organic but she's not having any of that XD

 

[Kantia]

I use Harrisons also, coupled with fruit, vegetables and little treats.

 

[kksdad]

All of our birds (budgie, cockatiel, Hahns, CAG) like TOPS.

 

[AFP520]

Harrisons here. Very pricy though. 5LB bag was $28 and I believe you can only buy in person form vets, or order online from someone.

 

[triordan]

Zupreem Natural

 

[ruffledfeathers]

oh my goodness Mudkips--good for you tasting the pellets. i never have. (my dogs are CRAZY about them though. Georgie used to toss food to the dogs as her entertainment sometimes.)
i have tasted dog cookies (the bakery kind). man are they plain and bland.

 

[MonicaMc]

In Australia there's only really one brand of pellets, Vetafarm, so we're not spoiled for choice.

It seems to be more specialized for specific parrots then the American varieties.
For example I have a conure so I buy the South American Mix which was made for macaws, amazons and conures. They even go so far as to say it should be fed as a total diet - fruits and vegetables are optional. "Other supplements are not required." because they add stuff like "Vitamins – A, D, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Minerals – Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc, Sodium, Manganese, Calcium, Phosphorous, vegetable oils and Amino Acids".(doesn't stop me sharing my dinner with him)

I may have one brand to choose from, but if its good enough for the Sydney Zoo, its good enough for me.
__________________

I saw a video on Youtube of someone tasting 3 kinds of parrot pellets, so I decided to taste the ones I feed Birdy because I didn't want him living off something that tastes terrible. They're actually not bad at all!
Has anyone else tried doing this?

I've tried the Zupreem... it was sandy/gritty and had no flavor...


I thought Australia had 2-3 brands, although Dr Mac's seems to be gone now? Or at least the website is no more and I don't know if it's still in production or not... and I know people in Australia can get Harrison's, although I'm sure it's harder to get(?) and more expensive than Vetafarm.

The other brand didn't seem as great since it used animal protein instead of plant protein.

And I really wouldn't be surprised if Kaytee is floating around down there... I've seen it in New Zealand. Then again, it seemed as if New Zealand is highly lacking in a variety of products for parrots, and probably doesn't have as much variety as Australia? I don't really know though, as I haven't officially visited Australia... I can only go off what I've seen on websites and pet owners.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

And to answer the main question here--Harrisons was Georgie's primary pellet for much of her life. She was switched to the high potency harrisons with more table food at one point because of being underweight w/low blood protein. The change corrected the situation quickly.
She also loved Zupreem. And she loved Nutriberries as well, added to the pellet and food mix.
My new bird is starting on Roudybush because that's what he was weaned on.

 

[sarafigal]

Queegy was on a Kaytee diet full of colorful mystery foods and sunflower seeds. I tried Harrison's, but after a few weeks I realized it was a no-go. On a whim I bought a bag of Zupreem and she loves it. I'll mix that now over the next weeks with a little of the Kaytee, nutriberries (her passion), selected nuts, and fresh food for her to explore. Today she had fun throwing chickpeas... We'll see.

 

[lexx510]

Top Organics Pellets - although they were sold out at my local pet shop, so I had to substitute with Harrison's for the time being. Guava is not too crazy about Harrison's, I must say. I try to avoid pellet brands with preservatives, added sugar, toxins, etc.

 

[truste]

I use Roudybush

I went into the store planning to buy Harrisons after all the good reviews it gets on these forums, but the owner mentioned that as my bird was still very young (2 months), Harrisons might be too hard for her. He suggested Roudybush instead, and included in my purchase of it a HUGE bag of mixed pellets--harrisons, zupreem, tops, etc. Probably a half pound bag! My bird was weaned onto seeds, so I decided rather than trying to switch her over to the Roudybush right away, I would incorporate a handfull of of the mixed baggie into her food, so that I could let her decide which brand she liked. I was hoping that the birdstore owner would be willing to let me bring back my bag of unopened Roudybush and trade in for the kind she was partial to.

Fortunately for me, I didn't have to! My bird started eating the pellets right away--so no tedious switching over from seeds process--and I noticed that she was picking out the Roudybush. She would sometimes try one of the other brands, chew on it for a bit, and drop it. Now she's served only Roudybush, and given a fruit/veggie supplement. And I use her bag of seed mix for treats